Washing machine having soap dispenser



R. c. ABERLE WASHING MACHINE HAVING SOAP DISPENSER Jan. 14, 1958 v1 Fil'ed Sept. 6, 1956 l w'uomomnoo his? I Jzzdezzo /Z6 oerzf ct o zwze 19 Q9 M.) x W wii arzzey 'Jan. 14, 1958 R. c. ABERLE WASHING MACHINE HAVING SOAP DISPENSER Filed Sept. 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet III'IIlIiiIIIII IIII'IIIIII'I"! trite wasnmo MACHINE nnvnvo SOAP DISPENSER Robert C. Aherle, Lombard, IlL, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application September 6, 1956, Serial No. 608,249

11 Claims. (Cl. 68-17) This invention relates to domestic appliances such as automatic clothes washing machines and in particular relates to means for automatically introducing a measured quantity of detergent into the tub of the washing machine at the commencement of the washing operation.

In modern automatic clothes washing machines, it has been necessary for the user merely to place the articles to be washed in the tub of the machine, pro-select the desired washing and rinsing water temperatures, set the duration of the Washing operation, and then actuate a switch mechanism which will thereafter conduct the machine through a complete series of Washing, rinsing and Water extraction operations. It has also been proposed to provide means for introducing a measured quantity of detergent into the washing machine tub whereby once the machine has been loaded and set for operation, the user need give it no further attention.

Although the detergent introduction devices of the prior art have been generally satisfactory, they have exhibited the tendency to accumulate detergent which ereby builds up as an adherent deposit blocking the passages through which the detergent normally passes into the tub of the machine. Such clogged passages restrict the evacuation of the detergent into the tub, whereupon the user may find after a washing operation that an insufficient amount of detergent had, in fact, been introduced into the machine.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a detergent dispenser which is arranged for complete evacuation each time the washing machine is used and will not accumulate detergent residues.

It is another object of the invention to provide a detergent dispenser which is so simple mechanically that it is inexpensive to manufacture and will operate with certainty throughout the useful life of the washing ma chine in which it is installed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a detergent dispenser which accurately measures fractions of a full or heavy duty charge of detergent whereby the amount of detergent to be used may accurately be correlated with the size and nature of the wash load.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the above noted objectives are accomplished by means of a detergent-receiving container mounted in suitable relation to the washing machine tub for the passage of detergent from said container into said tub; a valve device which controls the flow of detergent from the container into the tub and assumes a normally closed position when the loading door of the Washing machine is open to permit the loading of the clothes into the tub; and a valve actuator which is engaged by the loading door as it is closed prior to starting the washing machine and is moved by said loading door to open the valve for the passage of detergent from the container into the tub. It is a feature of the invention that Water action will completely cleanse the detergent container 2,819,600 Patented Jan. 14, 1958.

either during the washing operation or during a later tub filling operation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description describing two embodiments thereof and read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side sectional elevation of an automatic clothes washing machine showing one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view taken in section on lines 22 of Fig. 1 showing the manner in which the detergent dispenser may be partitioned to accommodate fractional fillings of the dispenser;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side sectional elevation of the dispenser in Fig. 1 showing the valve mechanism in closed position, as distinguished from Fig. l in which the valve has been operated to open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side sectional elevation showing a second form of dispenser with the valve means thereof about to be actuated to open position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section showing the dispenser of Fig. 4 having been actuated to discharging position;

Fig. 6 is a plan section of the detergent dispenser of Fig. 4 taken on lines 66 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the detergent dispenser shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a washing machine ll comprises a housing 2 within which is mounted the tub 3. The tub contains a conventional bladed agitator 4 and by means of any conventional mechanism 5' the agitator may be oscillated during the washing operation and the tub and agitator spun rapidly during a centrifuging operation for the ejection of the water content of the tub through the row of discharge openings 6. The washing machine also includes a conventional water inlet valve '7 having means for connection to sources of heated water and unheated Water and arranged to discharge by way of conduit 8 and nozzle 9 into the tub. The entire operation, including the filling of the tub with water, the operation of agitator 4 and the spinning of the tub 3, may be under the control of a conventional timecycle switch it as well known in the art.

The upper portion 11 of the housing is provided with any suitable door 12 which may be hinged or otherwise provided for movement between the illustrated closed position and an open position. Such a washing machine is conventional, and as such forms no part of the present invention.

As best shown in Fig. 3 the upper portion of the agitator i is formed to provide an upper frusto-conical portion 14 and a cylindrical portion 15 which terminates in a step 16. The step and cylindrical portion serve to mount the substantially cylindrical detergent container 17. Conveniently the detergent container includes an annular base which rests upon the shoulder 16; the inner flange 18 fits frictionally on the cylindrical portion 15. To the outer flange W is suitably secured the cylindrical body portion 20 of the detergent container.

The cylindrical body portion 2th may advantageously be of molded plastic, formed to have an enlarged lower portion providing a wall portion 21 which is apertured to form the plurality of discharge openings 22 at the base of the detergent container; and further having a continuous valve seat 23 above the openings. Openings 22 are at the operating water level, considered relative to the movement of water during the washing operation, and the overflow rinse phase common to most washing machines.

The valving mechanism comprises a frusto-conical member 24, advantageously surfaced with a resilient layer 25 which engages the edge of the valve seat 23.

any detergent which may have remained therein.

The valve member is biased to a normally closed position by means of a relatively weak coil sprin 26.

The valve actuator in the present embodiment comprises a cylindrical structure 2'7 which may be integral with the valve member 24 and terminates in the rounded extension 28. The valve actuator and extension are imperforate.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the cup 2th is subdivided by means of the partitions into a plurality of individual compartments. Purely by way of example, the cup may be divided into four substantially equal compartments whereupon when the cup is loaded to the brim in all compartments it will contain one standard measure of detergent. Light loads or delicate fabrics may require appropriately smaller amounts of detergent, which the user may accurately obtain by filling only some of the cups of the container. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the radially innermost edges of the partitions are appropriate 1y rounded so as to provide guide members for the valve actuator 27.

When the door 12 is open or removed from the opening in the housing top Ill, the spring 2-6 drives the valve member 24 upwardly into engagement with the valve seat 23. This closes the container, and thus conditions it for re ception of detergent. The user thereupon fills the number of cups of the container according to her experience or the manufacturers recommendations. After the washing machine is loaded and ready for use, the door 12 is closed, whereupon it bears against the rounded end of the valve actuator extension 28 driving the entire valve mechanism downwardly to expose the ports 22. The weight of the door overcomes the relatively light spring 26. The slope of the valve member is such that detergent, either of the dry granular type or the liquid type, will flow out into the tub through the then exposed ports 22. When the machine begins its washing operation, the oscillation of the agitator 4 creates powerful currents within the tub. Although the extension 28 remains in contact with the door during agitation, the rounded end provides a good bearing surface. The'wash water will circulate freely through the ports 22 and will completely purge the container of The disposition of the detergent container within the tub therefore insures that all of the detergent in the container will be put to use in the washing solution.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 through 7, the basic washing machine structure is similar to that previously described. The valve outlet connection 8 communicates with a slightly different arrangement of discharge nozzle 9.1, which flows into a channel structure Sill formed by upwardly bending side-wall portions of a member 32 fastened to an element of the housing. The channel 31 terminates in a drainage passage 33 formed at the intersection of the member 32 and a downward plate-like extension S i thereof. Said downward extension 314 has inwardly bent side-wall portions 35 as best shown in Fig. 6, and the bottom of the extension 34 is formed to provide a shoulder or stop 37.

The detergent container 33 includes a sleeve-valve portion 39 which is open at the bottom and at the top. Said sleeve-valve portion has a keystone shaped wall 46 which is removably received between the wall portions 35 and rests upon the shoulder 37. The detergent cup and valve member 41 is slidably contained by the valve element 3d. Said detergent cup has a closed bottom 42, and is formed with a suitable plurality of drainage openings 4-3. The upper rim of the cup 41 is grooved to receive the valve actuator 44 which terminates in an upwardly extending member 45 having a curved top as which passes through the housing opening for engagement by the door or closure 12. A suitable plurality of leai springs 47 carried by the valve member 39 normally drives the cup 41 upwardly so as to raise the bottom portion of the cup to a position where the surrounding wall of the valve element .39 will cover the openings 43. In this position, the end 4s of the valve actuator is substantially above the upper level of the housing top portion 11.

It will be noted from Fig. 7 that the trough 31 extends across most of the open top of the cup 41. During the water filling operation, therefore, when water is discharging through the passage 9.1 and into the trough 31, the water will flow from said trough as a relatively wide stream into the cup ll. This wide-stream discharge makes it possible to divide the cup, by one or more partitions 48, so as to provide for accurately measuring portions of a standard measure of detergent.

When the door 12 is raised or removed to permit clothes to be loaded into the tub 3, the springs 47 pressing against the bottom 42 of the cup 41 drive the cup upwardly to close the openings 4-3. The user may then introduce the desired quantity of liquid or granular detergent into the cup il. Then when the machine is completely loaded and ready for operation, closing or replacing the door 12 will cause said door to bear against the valve actuator and drive the cup downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 to expose the openings 4-3. In the case of liquid detergent, the detergent will immediately flow through the openings 43 into the tub of clothes. The wash water which is then being intro duced into the tub through the trough 31 pours into the cup and enters the cup through the openings 43. If granular detergent is used, it Will not of course flow freely through the openings 43 by gravity alone. However, the water flowing into the cup from the trough 31 will elfect the complete evacuation of the detergent from the cup 41.

it takes several minutes for the average domestic washing machine to fill to the operating level within the tub 3, and during this time there is a complete washing out of the detergent container.

It will be observed that both of the embodiments disclosed herein are self-contained units which are readily removable from their respective support means. This facilitates servicing or replacement of the dispensers, and, more importantly, permits the removal of the dispensers where it is necessary to service the agitator or tub.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a washing machine having a housing, a tub therein, a detergent-receiving container mounted within said housing in communication with said tub, said container having a charging opening facing an opening in said housing through which detergent may be placed in said container, a door for said housing opening, valve means for controlling passage of detergent from said container into said tub, and a valve actuator extending into said housing opening for displacement by said door upon closing said door, said displacement operating said valve to open position, whereby the detergent content of said container may pass into said tub.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which said detergent container is divided into a plurality of individual portions.

3. The combination according to claim 1 in which said valve means comprises members arranged for slidable movement relative to each other and displacement of said valve actuator by said door moves one of said slidable members to open position.

4. In combination, a washing machine having a housin g, a tub therein, said housing having an opening in registry with said tub and a door for said opening, and a detergent dispenser in said tub, said dispenser comprising a cup for receiving a quantity of detergent, said cup having a plurality of discharge ports about its base, a valve member associated with said cup, said valve memher and said cup being in mutually slidable, relation whereby displacement of one of said last-named elements relative to the other will block said ports against outflow of detergent, or expose said ports for said flow, according to the direction of movement of said one element, means effective upon opening said housing door to move said element to port-blocking position, and means effective upon closing said door to move said element to portexposing position.

5. In combination, a washing machine having a housing provided with a loading door, a tub within said housing, a detergent-receiving container mounted in said tub, said container having a charging opening in proximity to said loading door whereby when said door is open detergent can be placed in said container, valve means for controlling the passage of detergent from said container into said tub, means for establishing said valve means in a normally closed position upon opening said loading door, and means effective upon closing said door to mechanically open said valve means for passage of detergent from saidpontainer into said tub.

6. In combination, a washing machine having a housing provided with a loading doorTa tubwithin said housing, an agitator in said tub, and a detergent dispenser mounted on said agitator for operation by saiddoor to dispensing position, said dispenser comprising a detergent-receiving container having discharge ports in the lower portion thereof, a valve member slidably disposed within said container, means for urging said valve member to a position preventing passage of detergent from said container into said tub, and an actuator portion for said valve member slidably positioned on said agitator and engageable by said door during the closing thereof to operate said valve member to open said discharge ports.

7. In combination, a washing machine having a housing provided with a loading opening and a door for said opening, a tub within said housing, an agitator in said tub, said agitator having a substantially cylindrical end portion facing said loading door, and a detergent dispenser mounted on said agitator for operation by said door to dispensing position, comprising a detergent container having an open end and a plurality of detergent discharge ports about its closed end, means for mounting said container on said agitator with the said end portion thereof extending axially through said container, a valve seat extending about the wall of said container intermediate said ports and said open end, a valve member disposed within said container in operative association with said valve seat, means for slidably mounting said valve member on said agitator end portion, spring means for biasing said valve member into engagement with said valve seat, and a valve actuator extending from said valve mounting means through said loading opening, whereby said loading door, on being moved to closed position, will engage said actuator and displace it axially to a position disengaging said valve member from said valve seat.

8. The combination according to claim 7, in which the vaive actuator comprises a cylindrical element about said agitator and said detergent container has a. plurality of radially disposed vertical partitions extending into close proximity with said actuator to guide the axial movement thereof.

9. In combination, a washing machine having a housing provided with a loading opening and a door for said opening, a tub within said housing, means: including a water inlet passage for introducing water into said tub, a detergent dispenser disposed in said tub for operation by said door to dispensing position, said dispenser including an imperforate tubular valve element secured relative to said tub, a detergent cup mounted in said tubular valve element in slidable engagement with the inner wall of said valve element, the open top of said cup being positioned to receive water from said water inlet passage and facing said loading opening to permit being supplied with detergent therethrough, said detergent cup, further, having a plurality of discharge ports about its base, spring means for urging said cup to a position in which the discharge ports are covered by said valve element, and an actuator extending from said cup through said loading opening for engagement by said door as it is being closed; the final movement of said door to closed position being effective to move said cup to expose the discharge ports thereof for the outflow of detergent therethrough.

10. The combination according to claim 9, in which said water inlet passage includes a bracket for removably securing said valve element.

11. The combination according to claim 9, in which said water inlet passage comprises a relatively wide channel and the open top of said detergent cup is slightly wider than said channel, whereby water enters said cup across substantially the full width thereof.

No references cited. 

